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City Tired Of Spinning Its Wheels On Skaters

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By NICOLA M. WHITE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 20, 2008

ZEPHYRHILLS - When the complaints rolled in about skateboarders tearing up downtown brick pavers with their wheels, city officials got tough. They talked about confiscating the boards of those who skate in off-limits areas.

Dozens of teenagers packed city council chambers and city officials acquiesced. Both city officials and teenagers pledged to work together to make downtown a skate-free zone and the city-run skateboard park more attractive.

Two months later, nothing has changed. Throngs of teens still hang out downtown, doing flips and "ollies" and trying out new skateboard tricks on metal railings and picnic benches. Residents and business owners still complain about the crowds, and this week city workers had to remove four picnic tables on Fifth Avenue because they were damaged by skaters.

"We are at a boiling point downtown," Capt. David Shears told the city council Monday night. "I think we're at the point now where we're going to have to issue trespass warnings and the next time they come back, arrest them."

Before anyone's led away in handcuffs, though, the city is going to consider dramatically raising the fines of those who are caught skateboarding downtown - from $30 to $75 for a first offense. The second time, the offending skater would be charged $150, the third time, $300.

Some city officials see this as the only way to get skaters to quit rolling around downtown.

"I see the same kids in there in court for the same $43 penalty - $30 for the fine and $13 in court fees. It's just not sinking in," City Attorney Joe Poblick said.
City Councilman Danny Burgess, who presented the first skateboard confiscation proposal back in November, told the council he remained firm on his antiskateboarding stance.

"I just want to see this end, that's it," he said. "Put them in shackles and take them away if you have to."

Councilman Luis Lopez said he felt the city had given the skaters more than enough opportunities to voice their complaints about the city-run park near Krusen Field on the south end of town; for the past couple of months, teens and city officials have been meeting together to come up with solutions.

On Monday, however, six city officials met at the skateboard park and not one teen showed up, City Manager Steve Spina said.

The fine schedule is included in an ordinance that spells out other rules for city parks, such as restrictions on bicycling. That part did not sit well with City Council President Kent Compton.

"When I think of a park, I think of a place where I'm going to have a little fun," he told the council.

Councilman Clyde Bracknell and Councilwoman Celia Graham also expressed displeasure with that part of the ordinance. The council is set to discuss the issue further at 6 p.m. at its Jan. 28 city council meeting at Zephyrhills City Hall, 5335 Eighth St.

Reporter Nicola M. White can be reached at (813) 779-4613 or nwhite1@tampatrib.com.

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